GSMA to provide staffing to reopen Cades Cove visitor center

The Great Smoky Mountains Association said there will be staffers there to help visitors at four of the six locations that would be normally available at this time.

Author:
WBIR Staff

Published:
4:41 PM EST January 10, 2019

Updated:
4:43 PM EST January 10, 2019

TOWNSEND, Tenn. — The Great Smoky Mountains Association is continuing to pitch in to help keep portions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park staffed during the government shutdown.

The organization announced Thursday that it will be providing staffing to reopen the Cades Cove Visitor Center -- located halfway around Loop Road near Townsend.

GSMA said the visitor center will reopen Friday, Jan. 11 and be staffed so people can obtain park information, educational services and use the restrooms.

The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee centers remain closed.

Staffers with GSMA are available at four of the six locations that would normally be available at this time-- saying partnerships with Townsend and Bryson City, N.C. have made it possible for them to continue to offer services during the shutdown.

The GSMA initially paid more than $50,000 at the start of the shutdown to keep the Sugarlands, Oconaluftee and Cades Cove visitor centers open during the busy holidays, but the funding only lasted through New Year's Day.